Higher (The Naked and Famous song)

"Higher"
Single by The Naked and Famous
from the album Simple Forms
Released	8 July 2016 (2016-07-08)
Recorded	2015–2016[1][2]
Length	3:50
Label	Somewhat Damaged
Songwriter(s)	The Naked and Famous
Producer(s)	The Naked and Famous Thom Powers Sombear (add.)
The Naked and Famous singles chronology
"Hearts Like Ours" (2013) "Higher" (2016) "Laid Low" (2016)

"Higher" is a song by New Zealand indie electronic band The Naked and Famous from their third studio album, Simple Forms. It was released on 8 July 2016 as the album's lead single.[3][4]

Background

After touring in support of their second studio album, In Rolling Waves (2013), the band began a sabbatical in mid-2014 from touring. Their third studio album, Simple Forms, was recorded at Powers' home studio in Echo Park, Los Angeles, amidst the end of an eight-year romantic relationship between lead vocalists Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers. Xayalith stated, "It's been two years since we came off the road and a lot of life has happened in and all around us. We've been broken here and picked ourselves up again—so maybe this chorus talk a little to that experience...love, grief, time passing and returning to a place where we are lucky to have each other."[2]

According to keyboardist Aaron Short, "Higher" was planned for inclusion on In Rolling Waves, and was originally "a lot more of a down-tempo, minimal electronic form", with Powers on vocals. The song was ultimately included on Simple Forms.[5]

Release and reception

In early July 2016, the group signed with Kobalt Label Services in North America for the release of the single, as well as their third studio album.[4]

Consequence of Sound described the track as dealing with both passion and pain in great quantities, with "razor synths buzzsaw and grind before being uplifted by Xayalith's skyscraper vocals".[2] The New Zealand Herald stated that "The Auckland five-piece are known for making synth-drenched festival singalongs, and Higher's shimmering hooks and shouted chorus is no different."[3]

The song was used in a commercial for Comcast Xfinity.^[citation needed]

Track listings

• Digital download

1. "Higher"

• Digital download – FKYA Remix

1. "Higher" (FKYA Remix) – 3:50

• Digital download – RAC Remix

1. "Higher" (RAC Remix) – 4:30

• Digital download – Stripped

1. "Higher" (Stripped) – 4:02

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Simple Forms.[6]

• The Naked and Famous – production
• Thomas Powers – production
• Sombear – additional production
• Carlos de la Garza – live instrumentation engineering
• Ken Andrews – mixing
• Joe LaPorta – mastering

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Canada Rock (Billboard)[7]	47
New Zealand Heatseeker Singles (RMNZ)[8]	2
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[9]	39
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10]	45

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	8 July 2016	Digital download	Original	Somewhat Damaged	[11][12]
United States	2 August 2016	Alternative radio		Kobalt In2une	[13]
Various	10 April 2017	Digital download	FKYA remix	Somewhat Damaged	[14][15]
	19 May 2017		RAC remix		[16][17]
	28 July 2017		Stripped		[18][19]

References

1. "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
2. Geslani, Michelle (7 July 2016). "The Naked and Famous announce new album, Simple Forms, premiere "Higher" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
3. "The new Naked & Famous album was made in the wake of a painful break-up". The New Zealand Herald. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
4. "Kobalt Label Services Signs New Zealand Band The Naked And Famous". All Access Music Group. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
5. Smith, Brennan (26 October 2016). "Concert preview: The Naked and Famous emerge from a time-out with 'Simple Forms'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
6. Simple Forms (liner notes). The Naked and Famous. Somewhat Damaged. 2016. SDL002CD.
7. "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
8. "Heatseeker Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
9. "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
10. "The Naked and Famous Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
11. "Higher – Single by The Naked and Famous". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved 11 July 2016.^[permanent dead link‍]
12. "Higher (2016) | The Naked And Famous". 7digital (US). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
13. "Alternative > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
14. "Higher (FKYA Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
15. "Higher (FKYA Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
16. "Higher (RAC Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
17. "Higher (RAC Remix) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
18. "Higher (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (Australia). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
19. "Higher (Stripped) – Single by The Naked and Famous". Apple Music (NZ). Retrieved 6 September 2019.

External links

• "Higher" lyric video on YouTube